/ 26 November 2011

Blitzboks scoop bronze at world series opener

The Blitzboks settled in third place in the Sevens World Series standings with a convincing 17-5 triumph over Australia on the second day of the opening tournament in Gold Coast, Australia, on Saturday.

After taking a 12-0 half-time lead, South Africa coasted to victory against the Australians in the third-place playoff.

Chris Dry was the top SA points scorer, dotting down with seven tries in the tournament.

Having gone unbeaten in the group stages, the Blitzboks secured a 14-5 victory over France in the cup quarterfinals.

Scorching to a 14-0 lead, the South Africans held off a late charge from France, who scored a try in second-half extra time, to progress to the semi-finals of the top-flight division.

Fiji, however, dominated their last-four encounter, putting 24 points on the board before the Blitzboks responded in the dying stages, with Dry scoring their only try of the match as the Fijians secured a 24-7 victory.

Fiji went on to lift the tournament title with a 26-12 win over defending series champions New Zealand in the cup final. — Sapa